BLUES tomorrow may not have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a striker who could be among their summer targets.

Portsmouth's Yakubu is struggling to be fit for the 5.15pm game at St Andrew's.

The Nigerian had six stitches inserted into a cut on his heel sustained in last Saturday's defeat of Charlton, when he scored his 15th goal of the season.

Blues had an offer, worth a possible £7 million, rejected by Pompey for Yakubu during the January transfer window.

They considered Yakubu at the same time as £6 million Craig Bellamy, who went to Celtic from Newcastle United on loan.

Middlesbrough and Newcastle both covet Yakubu and Blues will probably consider the merits of the 22-year-old once the season has finished.

Aliou Cisse is expected to face Blues for the first time since his £350,000 transfer to Fratton Park. He has been used as a right-back in recent weeks and that could well influence manager Steve Bruce to recall Stan Lazaridis.

Midfielder Stephen Clemence might, at best, be in the squad after struggling since being forced off in the defeat of Villa following his brave tackle on Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Said Bruce: "Clem just hasn't been 100 per cent fit. He took a horrible blow to his sternum and whenever he gets a knock on it in training, it bothers him. Gradually the pain is subsiding so hopefully he will be in contention."